the ol' zip tie throttle trick

91stranger · Jan 24, 2018

So I put two zip ties on my throttle cable because there was a lot of slack in the cable. It definitely help the slack and throttle response. My question is if there is any issues with doing this? will this wear out the cable worse than before or could this cause any issues down the road. I've read about people doing this and notice an immediate response but they never say anything a year or two down the road. So just trying to get some input on this whether its worth it or not. Right now I have 2 normal sized sip ties on there and there is about 1/8" slack in the line, meaning I can pull the gas pedal forward about an 1/8 inch. might be a little more, lets just say 1/8"-1/4".

Mark_88 · Jan 24, 2018

The cable is stretched and the ties take up the slack. I did this on my first truck and it rusted out so maybe that's connected...

I did it on my next truck and the engine overheated and cracked the head...

I did it on my last truck and I ended up selling it for much less than it was worth...but more than scrap metal was going to pay me for it so I did OK...

If you count all those against the zip tie fix then I'd be careful about doing it...otherwise...enjoy the better throttle response and always carry a spare cable if you can get one...

I broke one on the highway once and had to rig up a temporary cable to get me home...it wasn't the best solution so after that I carried a spare in my tool box...

91stranger · Jan 24, 2018

I have spares in my truck I just wasn't sure if this would stretch the cable out even more. I'm just trying to get some feedback on this. If it is going to affect something negatively then I wont do it and maybe just do the one cable. I cant see what it could do other than stretch the cable more. the cable is not giving any throttle the way it is. It literally just took the slack out of the cable. my pedal had about 1/2"-3/4" of play before I added the zip ties.

Mark_88 · Jan 24, 2018

Sorry, didn't mean to joke with that but the real answer is it will not do anything further than is already done. The cable will stretch more if it was only two zip ties...I had 7 on one cable before it broke.

It really is hard to break them but there is no telling when or where they will break...mine broke off right at the pedal end but that was mostly because I modified where the cable went into the cab after seeing that there was a difference in the angle of the exposed cable enough to cause it to rub against the outer lip of the end of the casing.

I tried to make a spare out of a bicycle brake cable and it will do in a pinch but it is not the same strength of the OEM cables.

ericbphoto · Jan 24, 2018

With continued use, the cable will continue to stretch anyway. That's normal wear for a cable. Only negative effect from the zip tie trick is that you don't run out and buy a new cable as often as the manufacturers want you to. Watch for frayed, broken wires at the end connectors and replace the cable when you see that happen.

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91stranger · Jan 24, 2018

The cable itself looked new and shiny by the gas pedal and no fraying. I do like the better throttle response. before when I would go to pass somebody I would have to press the pedal really hard into the floor to get it to shift down like it is supposed to. now its like a whole new motor.

ericbphoto · Jan 24, 2018

[emoji106]

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HighMileage93 · Jan 24, 2018

Three Years

I put two zip ties on my cable around three years ago and no issues. May be time to add one more though. LOL

91stranger · Jan 25, 2018

HighMileage93 said:
I put two zip ties on my cable around three years ago and no issues. May be time to add one more though. LOL

See that's good to know. That's the kind of answer I was looking for. Thanks.

ZMan · Feb 1, 2018

My ranger has had zip ties on it for 15 years with no issues. My '01 Accord actually has an adjuster at the throttle body to take the slack out of the throttle cable.

adsm08 · Feb 1, 2018

Wearing the cable more seems a silly thing to worry about. The damage is already done, and the whole purpose of this "fix" is to put off needing to buy a replacement part for a while.

Of course the part, that wore in the first place, will continue to wear with continued use. This is something like asking if the treads on a re-tread tire will wear out.

91stranger · Feb 2, 2018

adsm08 said:
Wearing the cable more seems a silly thing to worry about. The damage is already done, and the whole purpose of this "fix" is to put off needing to buy a replacement part for a while.

Of course the part, that wore in the first place, will continue to wear with continued use. This is something like asking if the treads on a re-tread tire will wear out.

I was more just wanting to know if anyone had issues with this. like lets say the zip tie breaks all the time and you have no throttle because of all the slack. I just wanted to know how this worked in the long term. I'm aware my cable is stretched, obviously and I know that its not going to fix itself or shrink back to size lol. I'm well aware of that. I've been a mechanic for 15 years now whether its on my own stuff or in an actual repair facility. I always tell people "its not going to fix itself" when they ask about their loose tie rods or ball joints.

ericbphoto · Feb 2, 2018

I always tell people "its not going to fix itself" when they ask about their loose tie rods or ball joints.

It won't?????

Oh, crap!!!! :shok:

Mark_88 · Feb 2, 2018

91stranger said:
"its not going to fix itself"

ericbphoto said:
It won't?????

Oh, crap!!!!

My first Ranger had visions of being something better so it rusted out and I sent it to Ranger Heaven...now it can come back as a born again Ranger in 2019...

The miracle of love... :icon_rofl:

91stranger · Feb 2, 2018

Mark_88 said:
My first Ranger had visions of being something better so it rusted out and I sent it to Ranger Heaven...now it can come back as a born again Ranger in 2019...

The miracle of love...

Too bad those new rangers look like crap. I hate all this modernizing of vehicles. what happened to keeping it simple when a headlight was square? now they have more curves and angles than the car itself. I'm sure those fancy headlights aren't cheap either. that what is love about my truck and rangers in general, is that you can find parts all day long for cheap. heaven forbid you try to find a part at the local pick-n-pull on a 2019 infinity qx50 lol.

the ol' zip tie throttle trick

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